- George’s Ballroom
George's Ballroom was an American
ballroom inNew Ulm, Minnesota located on Center Street. It was built in 1947 after World War II and became a hot spot for young couples reuniting after the war. Performers such asLawrence Welk ,The Andrews Sisters ,Glenn Miller , and theSix Fat Dutchmen all played there, and in its heyday it was an important center forbig bands andpolka music.The colorful
art deco building was a symbol of the small-town ballrooms that were the center of weekend activity is rural America. The ballroom also housed abowling alley , restaurant, and popular bar. The building closed in 1991 due to declining interest in big bands,ballroom dancing , and polka.The complex was acquired by Brown County in a tax foreclosure case. The building was later sold at auction and the new owner made plans to renovate and re-open the historical complex. The
Minnesota Historical Society funded a study that was completed in 2003, and a preservation architect team was hired to restore the building to its former glory. The ballroom has since re-opened, but its ultimate fate is uncertain as of early 2007 due to a disagreement between the owner and the City of New Ulm. [http://www.nujournal.com/journal/stories/n101406.html]References
* [http://www.claybaugh.com/claybaugh.asp?a=spf&pfk=1&gk=11&plk=24 Save George's Ballroom]
External links
* [http://www.newulmweb.com/ New Ulm, Minnesota]
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.